November 2018 Election Report

November 7, 2018

The Downtown Denver Partnership advocates for policies that facilitate establishing Downtown Denver as one of the most economically powerful center cities in the country. We work to ensure that legislative and ballot issues and City policies positively impact our Members all downtown businesses, and everyone who lives, works and plays in our city.

The Downtown Denver Partnership took six positions on November 2018 Ballot issues.
Yesterday, Tuesday, November 6th, Coloradans and Denverites decided on several key issues. The outcomes are outlined below.

If you have any questions, please contact us. We appreciate your support and we look forward to working with our state and local partners to continue to build a great city.

Referred Measure 2A, Healthy Parks and Rivers for Everyone
Outcome: Passed with 61% of the vote.
A 0.25% sales tax (25 cents on $100) increase. This measure was referred by Denver City Council to raise an additional $45 million annually to fund parks and open space in the City and County of Denver.

Impact: The Downtown Area Plan calls for a greener city, and we know that parks and public spaces are a key part of that strategy. Core to our work is the understanding that well-managed, maintained and activated public parks enhance public safety, quality of life and economic growth. Passing funding for parks creates a dedicated funding stream for parks and open space as called for in the Outdoor Downtown Plan.

Initiated Ordinance 301, Caring4Denver
Outcome: Passed with nearly 68% of the vote.
A 0.25% sales tax (25 cents on $100) increase to raise $45 million annually to fund mental health and addiction services for children and adults in the City and County of Denver.

Impact: Mental health and drug addiction is an issue that we see and deal with every day as we work to build a safe, welcoming and inclusive center city. The passing this initiative will help us begin to more seriously address mental health and addition in our city.

Proposition 110, Let’s Go Colorado
Outcome: Not Passed.
Proposed 0.62% sales tax increase (62 cents on $100) over 20 years that would have provided money to the State Highway Fund (45%), Local Transportation Priorities Fund: Cities (20%) and Counties (20%), and a Multimodal Transportation Fund (15%).

Impact: Our city and state’s economic growth depends on a strong transportation system. The Partnership will continue to work with our partners on measures and funding that will ensure a stronger, more connected transportation network.

Amendment 73, Great Schools, Thriving Communities
Outcome: Not Passed.
Amendment 73 called for a $1.6 billion tax increase for Pre-K-to-12 public education. The amendment proposes to change Colorado’s tax structure to a graduated income tax, increasing taxes for incomes over $150k by .05-3.62% and increases the corporate income tax rate by 1.37%.

Impact: The Partnership supports funding a strong education system, however we do not believe Amendment 73 was the right solution. We look forward to working with our partners on how best to support a strong education system in Denver.

Impact: We know that funding a strong transportation network is critical to our city and state’s economic vitality. The Partnership believes that Proposition 110- not Proposition 109- was the ideal solution to funding state and local transportation projects and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure a stronger, more connected transportation network.

Amendment 74, Compensation for Reduction in Fair Market Value against Government Law or Regulation (a.k.a. Takings)
Outcome: Not Passed.
Amendment 74 would have added 11 words to the Constitution that would allow a jury to decide if property rights have been damaged. Would have expanded the rights of property owners in the event that laws or regulations reduce their property value.

Impact: This ballot measure would have placed undue impact on the urban environment and had the potential to expose the state to prolonged, expensive lawsuits, which could have forced governments to cut services and/or increase taxes to cover costs.